Slide stop, or slide release?
Posted 03-14-2009 at 13:59 by Butch
One subject that a lot of folks apparently feel very strongly about and are willing to argue the point at length to make others agree with their way of seeing it, is the use of what Glock calls the Slide Stop Lever. Well, here’s my take on the subject.
As I recall being told many years ago, the original intent was to have an internal slide stop lever that would simply hold the slide to the rear when it opens on an empty magazine with no tab/lever on the outside of the gun (ala Walther PPK).
This is a drawing of one of the G17 prototypes that would certainly appear to confirm this (and I have seen a real photograph of the same prototype):
It was ultimately decided to make the part with an external control though. I can only guess that the reason was to facilitate the shooters ability to manually lock open the slide with out needing to have an empty magazine in the gun, indeed, the original lever ‘s small size and ‘tight to the frame’ configuration tells me that it’s almost certainly the intended purpose.
This would appear to say it was indeed Glock’s intent that chambering a round from lockback should be done via pulling the slide fully to the rear and releasing it to slam forward with the full force of the recoil spring to help insure reliable feeding and chambering of the round being chambered.
In that Glock eventually started making their extended slide stop lever, I suspect that it became obvious that U.S. shooters were very inclined to use the lever as a release, and that there was no real harm in doing so except that the original lever design was not ideal for the purpose.
Although the Glock owner’s manual says the slide can be closed by either pulling the slide or pushing down on the slide stop lever, at their firearms instructor workshops, they teach users to pull the slide. Why?
Most trainers agree that in the extreme stress of a gun fight, strange things very often happen to a person. I won’t go into detail, I don’t feel qualified to, but things like tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, and loss of the ability to perform fine motor skills are common.
The degradation of fine motor skills is what we’re concerned with here. Although some of us are supermen and nothing bothers us, others of us are human, and fact is that this problem exists. The solution for most is good training.
Some functions, such as depressing the mag catch button, are not often affected by loss of fine motor skills. Yes, some folks do have trouble with it, usually when a problem occurs it’s because they’re pushing on the other end of the catch at the same time. But since it’s a function that is commonly used nearly every time the gun is handled, and it requires an inward push as compared to a lateral movement (that’s easier for the finger to slip off the lever), its use under stress isn’t often a problem.
Along those same lines, a lot of folks use the slide stop lever to release the slide and feel quite confident in its use under stress. Most of the time they will be quite proficient at it, but I get the distinct impression that many don’t take into consideration other factors that can cause problems. Water, snow, and blood can be very slippery, and cold (with or without gloves) can make successful manipulation of the lever much more difficult.
I tend to agree with Glock and most law enforcement trainers that racking the slide is the best way to insure successful and complete slide closure under stress, and it is certainly the best way to do it for those who may not train as much as they maybe should. An added benefit is that it is consistent with what is needed during malfunction drills.
Now, how to pull the slide, ‘Sling Shot’, or ‘Hand Over’? Yes, there’s a difference.
‘Sling Shot’ is where you’re holding the gun in your shooting hand and you grab the rear end of the slide with the thumb and the top side of your index finger to pull it back like this (yes you have to imagine my other hand on the grip….it’s actually holding the camera):
‘Hand Over’ (or some call it ‘overhand’- like the pitching method) is using the palm of the hand on one side of the slide, and all four fingers on the other side, like this:
Either way, pull the slide all the way to the rear and let it slip out of your hand to slam shut. Don't let your hand 'ride the slide' forward, it can reduce slide speed and cause a malfunction.
Hand over gives a much more secure purchase on the slide and is very much my preferred method of manipulating the slide.
There you have it! Use your best judgment!
Butch
As I recall being told many years ago, the original intent was to have an internal slide stop lever that would simply hold the slide to the rear when it opens on an empty magazine with no tab/lever on the outside of the gun (ala Walther PPK).
This is a drawing of one of the G17 prototypes that would certainly appear to confirm this (and I have seen a real photograph of the same prototype):
It was ultimately decided to make the part with an external control though. I can only guess that the reason was to facilitate the shooters ability to manually lock open the slide with out needing to have an empty magazine in the gun, indeed, the original lever ‘s small size and ‘tight to the frame’ configuration tells me that it’s almost certainly the intended purpose.
This would appear to say it was indeed Glock’s intent that chambering a round from lockback should be done via pulling the slide fully to the rear and releasing it to slam forward with the full force of the recoil spring to help insure reliable feeding and chambering of the round being chambered.
In that Glock eventually started making their extended slide stop lever, I suspect that it became obvious that U.S. shooters were very inclined to use the lever as a release, and that there was no real harm in doing so except that the original lever design was not ideal for the purpose.
Although the Glock owner’s manual says the slide can be closed by either pulling the slide or pushing down on the slide stop lever, at their firearms instructor workshops, they teach users to pull the slide. Why?
Most trainers agree that in the extreme stress of a gun fight, strange things very often happen to a person. I won’t go into detail, I don’t feel qualified to, but things like tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, and loss of the ability to perform fine motor skills are common.
The degradation of fine motor skills is what we’re concerned with here. Although some of us are supermen and nothing bothers us, others of us are human, and fact is that this problem exists. The solution for most is good training.
Some functions, such as depressing the mag catch button, are not often affected by loss of fine motor skills. Yes, some folks do have trouble with it, usually when a problem occurs it’s because they’re pushing on the other end of the catch at the same time. But since it’s a function that is commonly used nearly every time the gun is handled, and it requires an inward push as compared to a lateral movement (that’s easier for the finger to slip off the lever), its use under stress isn’t often a problem.
Along those same lines, a lot of folks use the slide stop lever to release the slide and feel quite confident in its use under stress. Most of the time they will be quite proficient at it, but I get the distinct impression that many don’t take into consideration other factors that can cause problems. Water, snow, and blood can be very slippery, and cold (with or without gloves) can make successful manipulation of the lever much more difficult.
I tend to agree with Glock and most law enforcement trainers that racking the slide is the best way to insure successful and complete slide closure under stress, and it is certainly the best way to do it for those who may not train as much as they maybe should. An added benefit is that it is consistent with what is needed during malfunction drills.
Now, how to pull the slide, ‘Sling Shot’, or ‘Hand Over’? Yes, there’s a difference.
‘Sling Shot’ is where you’re holding the gun in your shooting hand and you grab the rear end of the slide with the thumb and the top side of your index finger to pull it back like this (yes you have to imagine my other hand on the grip….it’s actually holding the camera):
‘Hand Over’ (or some call it ‘overhand’- like the pitching method) is using the palm of the hand on one side of the slide, and all four fingers on the other side, like this:
Either way, pull the slide all the way to the rear and let it slip out of your hand to slam shut. Don't let your hand 'ride the slide' forward, it can reduce slide speed and cause a malfunction.
Hand over gives a much more secure purchase on the slide and is very much my preferred method of manipulating the slide.
There you have it! Use your best judgment!
Butch
Total Comments 3
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Good Post!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted 04-27-2009 at 12:15 by Waylay Heat
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Prototypes being, well, prototypes may or may be supportive of the rumour. Early prototypes may not have had the external lever, later one surely did. Speculation built on rumour.
But a great piece, thank you. +1 on all your findings. Isn't it interesting that all us big, tough Americans prefer finding and manipulating the slide stop, er, release. Personally I prefer to rack and roll, feel that the extra extension of the spring does a little better job. It is interesting that the extended release/stop does not appear on most of the Glocks nonetheless. There is a case to be made that the extended release can be accidentally engaged by an errant thumb. Happened to me on my G26... |
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Posted 08-09-2009 at 12:03 by Evela
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Great article, thanks.
It should be noted that the "slingshot" (aka the Israeli rack) is superior for a number of reasons. Mas Ayoob favors the slingshot for these reasons: 1. It takes less strength, important for women and those with weaker hands. 2. It tends to keep the muzzle aligned straight away from the shooter. The saddle tends to turn the muzzle to the weak side. 3. It is less likely to alter or activate slide controls. In sum it is safer, more efficient, takes less strength. As part of the Israeli method it can be performed as part of the draw to presentation, and is very fast. Practioners of the slingshot are taught to tilt the gun toward the weak hand to not only facilitate a quick and effective grip, but also will clear any FTE's at the same time. In this way you need only learn one form of racking for all objectives. Again, thanks. |
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Posted 09-09-2009 at 22:09 by Evela
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- Slide stop, or slide release? (03-14-2009)
- The six o’clock hold (01-28-2009)
